Miners' finale represents dawn of new era for fans

Photo by Daniel Freel/New Jersey Herald — Gannon McFeely, 11, left, and brother Connor, 15, of Milford, Pa., wave their Miners towels during the teams final regular-season game on Monday afternoon at Skylands Stadium against the Trois-Rivieres Aigles in Frankford.

Photo by Daniel Freel/New Jersey Herald — Abigail Dayton, of Vernon, right, lets her dog Dexter take a drink from a cup as she and her friend Alyssa Sasso, also of Vernon, attend the Miners' final regular-season game of the year on Monday afternoon. Monday was also Dog Day Monday at the ballpark as fans could bring their pups to the game.

FRANKFORD -- In the last two seasons, the Labor Day holiday has been synonymous with the Sussex County Miners finishing their work for the season.

By the regular-season finale in 2016 and 2015, the Miners' fate had already been signed, sealed and delivered.

With 39 wins in 2016 and 38 in the season before, the possibility for postseason drama ended without any rising action twice.

But alas, on a beautiful Labor Day under a cool blue sky, Sussex County fans could take pleasure in watching a much-improved baseball team Monday afternoon -- one that will enjoy its first trip to the Can-Am League playoffs beginning Wednesday against the Québec Capitales at Skylands Stadium.

For the first time in three seasons, the Miners' regular-season finale against the Trois-Rivieres Aigles was meaningless for all the right reasons.

It was a game where nothing was on the line after Sussex County sealed their trip to the playoffs with a win last Saturday.

"They knew from the beginning that they had the team to do it," said Judy Forrester, a Sparta resident that, along with her husband, Bob, hosted Juan Duran, Nate Irving and Rubi Silva this season. "They just needed to find a way to put it all together. They had all the ingredients, they just needed to put it together, and they did. They were very proud."

Sussex County's most important job is now right around the corner as it looks to win its first playoff series and compete for a Can-Am League championship.

The Miners fans that stuck around through two tough seasons now have their reward: at least three more games of meaningful, September baseball.

Even in a closely-contest, 11-inning contest with the Aigles, diehard fans could sit back, relax and know that the end of the season was not imminent.

Still, the first-base line was buzzing as those fans reveled in one of their last opportunities to have a little summer fun. And the Miners, who trailed by three runs in the bottom of the 10th, battled back to force another extra frame, ultimately falling short.

Vernon native Craig Hendricks, who said he attends about 30 games over the course of the season, enjoyed the final regular-season game with his wife, Gina, his son, Brady, and his two St. Bernards, Buxton and Josie, for Dog Day Monday.

All three represented a different player with Hendricks donning a gold Nick Giarraputo jersey, Gina representing the inaugural season's third baseman Devin Thaut and Brady in a Jay Austin shirt.

They plan to come out to the ballpark for the playoffs later this week to show their support.

"We're glad this product is here in Sussex County," Hendricks said. "It's something to do and it's great family fun. I would encourage others to come out and support these guys. A gentleman here, it's his first game and he told me he was going to get season tickets next year, he's so excited to be here."

While the Aigles said their goodbyes in the postgame high-five line, the Miners are headed toward a shot at a title.

And for a change, there will finally be some playoff excitement around Skylands Stadium. The credit goes to manager Bobby Jones.

This season, Jones put a team on the field that could compete on a nightly basis. He blended personalities and playing styles and formulated a pitching staff with Gianni Zayas, Michael Tamburino and Kody Kerski that consistently kept Sussex County in contention.

The Miners evolved into one of the most aggressive teams that the league has ever seen, stealing 163 bases over the course of 99 games. The figure set a new Can-Am League record.

For every seven-game losing streak, including a 0-7 start to the year, Sussex County came back with five or six wins.

Things also got a little more crisp than the previous two seasons.

A season ago, the Miners set the Can-Am League record with 145 errors over the course of the season. This year, they made 38 less.

The end result -- a 45-54 record and the fourth and final spot in the playoffs -- was enough to sneak into the playoffs.

Sussex County could still benefit from some improvement moving forward, but none of that matters now.

The Miners earned a fresh slate, and for the first time in a long time, its fans will be able to enjoy the most exciting portion of the season.

"It's awesome and hopefully we'll get more people out," Forrester said. "The goal is always to get these seats filled and one of the ways to do that is to have a winning team."

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